Armstrong and Scanlon's Bipartisan Justice for Juveniles Act Passes the House

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon's (D-PA) bipartisan Justice for Juveniles Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming support and awaits action in the Senate.

The Justice for Juveniles Act will help protect minors from abuse in custody by exempting them from the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA). Under current guidelines, the PLRA makes it difficult for abused youth to seek remedy by setting burdensome requirements before a lawsuit can be filed, limiting the types of relief that can be received, preventing lawsuits for emotional injuries, and creating obstacles that can impede retention of adequate legal representation.

"The Justice for Juveniles Act is commonsense criminal justice reform that will improve legal options for minors navigating the court system," said Congressman Armstrong. "Juveniles in custody face unique challenges, and this bill will bring more accountability for their wellbeing."

"All of America's young people are deserving of our protection -- regardless of their circumstances -- and with the House's passage of our Justice For Juveniles Act, we are one step closer to protecting youth in corrections facilities," said Congresswoman Scanlon. "The trauma of physical and sexual violence, as well as psychological abuse, leaves a lasting impact on anyone who experiences these horrors, but youth in detention can be especially susceptible to damage. They also face added difficulties when trying to navigate the complex legal systems necessary to raise allegations of abuse -- a system that even most adults struggle to understand."

Congresswoman Scanlon added: "This issue is personal for me. Glen Mills, the nation's oldest reform school, is located in my district. In 2019, the facility was forced to close following revelations about appalling abuse being inflicted on its young residents. Broken bones, threats of retaliation, sustained physical assaults -- all at the hands of staff members. Although the stories from Glen Mills are heartbreaking, they're not unique. Just this March, despite the recent example of Glen Mills, children were removed from yet another juvenile detention facility just a few miles away after sickening allegations of abuse. We cannot allow this mistreatment to continue. I look forward to the Senate bringing the Justice for Juveniles Act to the floor for a vote."

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